Kim Dacres Revitalizes Sleek Tires, Chains, and Gears in Defiant Sculptures
gravitates toward renewal and care, transforming worn rubber into expressive sculptural portraits. The New York-based artist twists and braids tired treads into sleek buns and rows typical of Black hairstyles, which she embellishes with gear-like crowns and jewelry made of metal bike chains. Spray painting the material to mask marks, Dacres utilizes what might otherwise be deemed worthless to create bold visages.
A new body of work extends a series of the artist made to honor those who’ve inspired and influenced her. On view this month at , Lost on a Two Way Street follows this trajectory, while adding flatter wall works evocative of Victorian-era cameos. “The emphasis on the subjects’ buns and braiding underscores the extreme efforts required to ‘keep up’ appearances in the harshest of environments—an acknowledgment of the vital role played by Dacres’ community in uplifting her spirit and maintaining her mental health,” the gallery says.
“Oval Medallion – Uncontained Crash Out Braids” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, wood, screws, and black, red, and brown spray paint, 22.5 x 19 x 6.5 inches
In an explicit reference to the current political climate, the artist has also interpreted the U.S. flag, replacing the stars with Black and brown figures. The stripes fray at the edges, while binding these anonymous faces to the fabric in a way that constricts movement. These works “flash in distress and cry out to helpless void—their condition betraying the truth of a symbol that has long failed to live up to its promise,” a statement says.
Lost on a Two Way Street runs from May 7 to June 20 in New York. Until then, explore more of the artist’s work on .
“Baby Liberty Bun” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, wood, screws, metal turntable and spray paint, 19 x 10 x 10.25 inches“Oval Medallion – Single Braid Lady” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, wood, screws, and black spray paint, 22.5 x 19 x 7 inches“Spoke Flat Bun with Cheekbones” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, wood, screws, metal turntable and spray paint, 18.5 x 11.5 x 10.5 inches “Contingent on Free Speech Content (Braided Vertical Flag with Valve Stems)” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, bicycle pedal arm, screws, and spray paint on wood, 53 x 24.5 x 7.5 inches“The day that you are me and I am you (Braided Flag Two Heads)” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zip ties, screws and spray paint on wood, 24.5 x 66 x 6.5 inches“The rainbow burns the stars out in the sky (Brown Gears)” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, bicycle parts, wood, screws, fender washers, rubber washer, metal turntable, and red primer spray paint, 19.75 x 11.25 x 12.25 inches“Square Medallion – Top Bun with Loose Braids” (2026), found auto and bicycle rubber, braided bicycle inner tubes, zipties, bicycle chains, wood, screws, black and red primer spray paint, 22.75 x 15.5 x 6.5 inches
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